Immigrants can enrich all of us

Scott McLeod writes accurately and with emotion about the Dream Act (“Hagen, senate wrong on Dream Act,” Dec. 22, Smoky Mountain News). Its passage would not have weakened our borders.

The immigrant youth affected by the “no” vote are likely to continue living here; many could understandably become sullen and resentful of opportunity denied. They might have enriched us with their energy and their friendships. This must be an especial discouragement to the high school teachers who nourish their development.

Reading Room

Time for spring-cleaning. The basement apartment in which I live could use a deep cleaning: dusting, washing, vacuuming. It’s tidy enough — chaos and I were never friends — but stacks of papers need sorting, bookcases beg to see their occupants removed and the shelves…